Real Name: Chris Cobler Address: 311 E. Constitution St. Victoria, TX 77901 Gender: male Member Since: September 16, 2007 Last Signed In: August 29, 2008 Profile Views: 2066 Blog Views: 12256 Your guide to Gustav and football debuts today How do you know when to say goodbye? What are you doing at 10 a.m.? We've reserved a seat for you at our morning planning meetings What headline would you put on the Ratcliff story? Will newspapers be the last mass medium? Ethics board discusses how we handle tough photographs, stories Are you wild about the Texas Zoo? I'd say the future is in good hands What comments do you have for next ethics board meeting? September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 
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Is it OK to make fun of Valentine's Day on the front page?
We've received one anonymous call and one signed email from readers unhappy with Aprill Brandon's humor column about Valentine's Day. Anytime you express a strong opinion, others are bound to disagree with it. We aim to provide a balance of views on any topic. Here's the reader's email and my response. I'd be curious get your thoughts, too. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. ----------------------------------------- The Victoria Advocate has accomplished an all time low with its lead story a disgusting display of hatred, referring to Ms. Brandon’s Valentine Day’s article of 2/14/08. Ms. Brandon, I don’t generally read your articles because they are mostly trash. When I read the headline of your article this morning, I thought surely you were in jest, not serious. So I read this item … feeling sadder and sadder as I read, because you were serious. I’m truly sorry for your lack of happiness and compassion in life. Sure, like all holiday events these days, Valentine Day has become too commercialized, too geared to make money. But the basic thought of this day is valued by those who have someone to love … and the kids get a big kick out of it because for them it’s fun. It is unfortunate that you, Mr. Cobler, have supported Ms. Brandon’s display of hatred, for all of Victoria to read about. Is there no more decency in your commitment to provide an ethical, professional newspaper? But then that’s a joke! I hope millions of Americans enjoy their Valentine Day … even you two! --------------------- We're sorry you didn't enjoy Aprill's column. Humor definitely is subjective.
On the same front page, we had two more traditional stories and a photo about Valentine's Day. We thought this balance provided a good way to mark the occasion. Not every story can satisfy every reader. Certainly, some people are less than enthusiastic about Valentine's Day.
Would you like to have your letter published on our Viewpoints page, or was it intended only to let us know your feelings about the column? Either way, we appreciate your feedback about what you like and don't like in your hometown newspaper.
On a personal note, I sent my wife and I both sent each other flowers and plan to go out for dinner tonight to celebrate. I agree any opportunity to tell someone special you love him or her is worth taking.
Regards,
--------------
Chris Cobler
Editor
Victoria Advocate
361-574-1271
8 comments from 8 users
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posted by
Riverboat
on Feb 15, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Put this on the calendar next to Valentine's Day: Today I agreed with VietnamVet. People DO need to lighten up. I laughed out loud when I saw the "DIe, Cupid, Die!" on the Necco candy. If Charlie Brown had turned bitter over his longing for that Red-Haired Girl, we'd be twins separated at birth. So it was on the front page. So what? Did a commentary about Valentine's Day crowd something else of national importance to page two? Well, there's the election primaries. McCain appears to be a lock, and Clinton and Obama are in virtual dead heat until Hillary calls in the big guns. What else is "new"?
posted by
ChrisCobler
on Feb 14, 2008 at 05:40 PM
We appreciate all of the many positive comments about Aprill's column. Readers do seem to appreciate writing that breaks away from the ordinary. We've heard much more praise than criticism of this particular piece. Regarding the question about today's poll question, we asked it because analysts have focused on how the Hispanic vote will affect the Texas primary race between Clinton and Obama. We're working on a deeper story about this issue for next week. If you know of any good sources for this story, let Gabe Semenza or me know. posted by
victorianbybirth
on Feb 14, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Actually her article was funny. I am neither a hater of VD or single and I found it refreshing. Everyday should be VD as far as I'm concerned, I don't need a specific day to tell my hubby I love him, & if he only told me once a year we either wouldn't still be married or he wouldn't still be breathing! ; O , J/k....anyways, I digress. What does offend me is your question of the day. Why do we need to divide the races on this election? We are all Americans! This is Black History month, there was just a question about achieving equality with the races. That will never happen as long as the media & the politicians pit us against each other & pander to a specific group. Why are the Hispanics more important than the blacks or the whites? How bout the Asians? When the question is phrased the way it is it makes the rest of us feel we are not as important. Thats it, I'm done.
posted by
bella7
on Feb 14, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Honestly...at first I was taken back by the front page of the paper, when I saw a co-worker reading it at lunch today. However, once I read the heart candy "die cupid die"; I laughed it off. I remembered being young and in college without a boyfriend during Valentine's. It's really no fun when you don't have someone to share the day. Now with a husband and kids the candy and heart shaped balloons are a blast to buy for them. It's great to see the smiles on everyone's faces. Yes, it's to commercial and the cost of candy and roses is ridiculous but it's only for one day a year. posted by
MensSana
on Feb 14, 2008 at 01:47 PM
*sighs* This is the kind of rubbish that passes for front page news in the VA...... This editorial would have been somewhat cute in a different section of the paper. I do not think that a business leader like the one directly below the story that provides a service to Victoria appreciated "Die Cupid Die" over top of her business story. A little praise though to the VA-at least in today's paper the words (story/news) seem to almost take up as much real estate on the front page as the pictures! I was starting to wonder if we were going to go to an all picture format :P Weekly Reader anyone? How bout a color in the news format with bigger pictures and no words? We can color in the pictures by number^^ Color all 1's red, color all 2's blue..at least there will be no typos posted by
vakemp
on Feb 14, 2008 at 01:39 PM
I agree with the lighten up part! My friends and I are under 30 and happy to finally see some humor in the Advocate articles. Now, we look forward to reading her articles and even laugh about what we have read during our weekly girl's nights. That is the first time we have ever commented on an actual reporter and had a mutual agreement on how hilarious she is. Keep the funny coming! We love it!!
posted by
sandwichh
on Feb 14, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Most people are not as good as they think. So anyone who gives you a flower, card, candy, stuffed bear, it is all good. I know anyone, like my wife, puts up with me deserves it all. Anyone who does not like the V-Day, just remember the old song... keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side, keep on the sunny side of life. As hard as it is to do. posted by
VietnamVet
on Feb 14, 2008 at 01:03 PM
I look forward to reading Aprill's columns. Love her sense of humor. It makes my morning coffee more enjoyable when I'm reading her. Keep up the good work, Aprill!!! People just need to lighten up and get a sense of humor. Everything is this world can't be taken seriously.
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